Wakesurf surfboard training device

ABSTRACT

A training device for balancing on boards is provided. The training device may be particularly suitable for the young, those with low body mass, or those lacking sufficient strength to enable them to stand on wakesurf boards and participate in the pastime of wakesurfing. A wakesurf board training device is disclosed that may include a pair of heel supports, each heel support having a main body configured to be secured to a wakesurf board, and the main body including a heel receptacle configured to receive a heel of a user of the wakesurf board, such that the heel receptacle provides lateral support to the heel of the user of the wakesurf board. A wakesurf board training device kit, and a wakesurf board system are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/834,600 filed Apr. 16, 2019, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to training devices for foot placement on boards, such as wakesurf surfboards.

The popularity of wakesurfing, or trailing a boat and surfing its ensuing wake, has exploded in recent years. Surfing behind boats is done at a low speed, for example approximately 10-11 mph, making it fun for all ages with a very low risk of injury.

Although wakesurfing is capable of being practiced at a very high level, incorporating tricks, generally anyone that is capable of standing on a wakesurf board may participate in the sport. However, starting/standing on a wakesurf board in the water remains challenging for many individuals, particularly the young, those with low body mass, or those lacking sufficient strength. Therefore, there remains a need of addressing this barrier to the sport so as to increase access.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a training device for foot placement allowing balance on boards.

In one embodiment, a wakesurf board training device may have a pair of heel supports, each heel support having a main body configured to be secured to a wakesurf board, with the main body including a heel receptacle configured to receive a heel of a user of the wakesurf board, such that the heel receptacle provides lateral support to the heel of the user of the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, each main body is adjacent a side rail of the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, each heel support comprises a chamfered edge to reduce drag of the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, each heel support is U-shaped. In some embodiments, the main body further comprises a back portion and a side portion, and wherein the ratio of the length of the back portion of the heel support to the length of the side portion of the heel support is 10:9. In some embodiments, wherein the height of the back portion of the heel is at least 3 cm at its maximal height. In some embodiments, the heel supports of the pair of heel supports are non-identical. In some embodiments, the main body is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material. In some embodiments, the main body is comprised of acrylic styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polylactic acid, high impact polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, carbon fiber, polycarbonate, polypropylene, closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam, and wood such as cork or wood dust with resin. In some embodiments, the main body is configured to be secured to a wakesurf board by attachment means selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, adhesive, and snaps. In some embodiments, the main body is configured to be secured to a wakesurf board by means of an interlocking system with a main body portion and a wakesurf board portion, wherein the main body portion and the wakesurf board portion interlock to secure the main body to the wakesurf board.

Also disclosed is a kit for a wakesurf board training device. In an embodiment, the kit includes two pairs of a wakesurf board training devices, and the heel supports of the first wakesurf board training device are configured to be secured adjacent a left side rail of the wakesurf board, and the heel supports of the second wakesurf board training device are configured to be secured adjacent a right side rail of the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, the heel supports of the first wakesurf board training device and the heel supports of the second wakeboard training device are symmetric.

A wakesurf board system is also disclosed. In an embodiment, a wakesurf board system includes a wakesurf board; and a wakesurf board training device. In some embodiments, the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are releaseably secured to the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, wherein the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are permanently attached to or integral with the wakesurf board. In some embodiments, the wakesurf board system also includes a traction pad attached to the wakesurf board, and the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are secured to the traction pad. In some embodiments, the traction pad includes a plurality of attachment points configured to receive the heel supports of the wakesurf board training device for use adjacent the left side rail or the right side rail of the wakesurf board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a training device.

FIG. 2 is a view of four training devices disposed on a wakesurf board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter presently disclosed generally relates to training devices for wakesurf surfboards. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, embodiments of a wakesurf surfboard training device are illustrated.

The present disclosure provides a device for wakesurf boards to provide those experiencing difficulty starting/standing on a wakesurf board in the water a training device that enables them to hold and position the board to enable easy starting/standing.

Wakesurfing is a popular sport that involves a participant standing on a board behind a boat, surfing the wake of the boat. Wakesurfing has a seemingly low barrier to entry in the sport, in that anyone who can hold onto the rope and stand on the board can successfully wakesurf. To begin wakesurfing, the participant may grab ahold of a tow rope being trailed behind a boat, lay in the water on their backs, and position their feet atop the flat surface of the board floating on the water. As the boat accelerates in the water, the participant, being pulled along by the tow rope, pushes down on the wakesurf board with their heels and leverages their body into an upright position. From that position, the individual can then surf along behind the boat in the waves of the boat's wake, optionally holding the tow rope. However, the act of driving one's heels in order to leverage one's body into an upright position (standing) on the board may prove challenging or even impossible to some individuals, particularly the young, lightweight, or those lacking sufficient strength. Instead, the board may slip out from underneath the would-be participant's feet, or they may remain in a reclined position, or succeed in driving only their hips upwards. Many individuals are thus unable to participate in the sport because they are unable to achieve a standing position.

The present disclosure relates to a training device that may be mounted on a wakesurf board and is configured to receive the heel of a user, such that the training device provides resistance to the heel of a user as the user drives their heel into the board, allowing the user to successfully leverage their body into an upright position.

The training device, which has a main body, is adapted to receive the heel of the foot, and may thus comprise a heel receptacle. That is, the training device has at least one back portion and at least one side portion with inner edges in a generally concave shape that serve to guide the user's heel so that it remains in the same position relative to the board. The length of the side portion may be approximately the same length as the back portion. Optionally, the ratio of the length of the back portion to the length of the side portion may be 10:9. The back portion may protrude at least 2 cm, or at least 3 cm from the wakesurf board at its maximum height. In other embodiments, the back portion may protrude between 2 cm and 8 cm from the wakesurf board. Optionally, the training device may be one unit adapted to receive both heels of the user, or it may comprise one or more pieces per heel. A wakesurf board is a largely planar surface that has a top and a bottom, a front and back, and two sides. The front and back may be interchangeable, as well as the sides. The training device, disposed on the top of a wakesurf board, curves away from a side of the board to form a heel receptacle, such that it accommodates a user's foot when the user's toes are pointed toward the side of the board. Preferably, the inner edge of the training device is curved into a U-shape. The outside edge may be U-shaped, or it may be angled or squared. The training device may also be angled, curved, or otherwise feature a design that reduces water drag and improves hydrodynamics of the training device and consequently the wakesurf board.

The training device may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. By way of non-limiting example, the device may comprise acrylic styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polylactic acid, high impact polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, carbon fiber, polycarbonate, polypropylene, STYROFOAM® (a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam), and wood such as cork or wood dust with resin.

The training device may be a non-removable (permanently attached) or integral part of the wakesurf board, or it may be detachable and/or adjustable to accommodate users with differently sized stances. If the training device is detachable, the training device may be attached to the wakeboard by any suitable attachment means. By way of non-limiting example, the attachment means may be one or more of a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO®, adhesive, tape, snaps, or any other suitable means known in the art. Optionally, the training device may be attached to the wakesurf board via an interlocking system, with part of the interlocking system, the base component, disposed on the top of the wakeboard, and part of the system on the bottom of the training device, the device component. The base component and device component may then interlock to attach the training device to the wake surf board, such as by sliding the device component into the base component.

In any embodiment, the training device may be of a design that allows free movement in and out of the heel receptacle and does not constrain the heel, for example it does not have straps or clamps. The back and sides of the main body guide the lateral movement of the foot relative to the board, but do not restrict longitudinal movement. This allows a user to easily separate from the board if upset.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main body 100 of an embodiment of the training device, which may also be referred to as a heel support. The inner edge 110 of the training device is curved into a U-shape to receive a heel. The back 120 and side 130 of the main body are provided to aid in the positioning of a user's foot. The outside edge 140, as provided in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, is angular. The outside side 140 include chamfers to improve the hydrodynamics of the device when in use in the water.

FIG. 2 is a view of four training devices disposed on a wake surf board 200. The training devices are shown in an arrangement that allows the user of the wakesurf board to use either side of the board as the front side. The training devices may be adjacent to the right side rail 210 or a left side rail 220. A traction pad 230 is optionally provided. The traction pad may comprise a plurality of attachment points configured to receive the heel supports of the wakesurf board training device for use adjacent the left side rail or the right side rail of the wakesurf board. The leading heel supports 240 a, 240 b may be of a different shape than the trailing heel supports 250 a, 250 b in order to best accommodate and position the leading and trailing feet of a user of the board.

This invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements or process steps from one or more embodiments described herein may be used in combination with elements or process steps from one or more other embodiments described herein, and that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments provided herein but only as set forth in the accompanying claims. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments to the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wakesurf board training device comprising: a pair of heel supports, each heel support having a main body configured to be secured to a wakesurf board, wherein the main body includes a heel receptacle configured to receive a heel of a user of the wakesurf board, such that the heel receptacle provides lateral support to the heel of the user of the wakesurf board.
 2. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein each main body is adjacent a side rail of the wakesurf board.
 3. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein each heel support comprises a chamfered edge to reduce drag of the wakesurf board.
 4. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein each heel support is U-shaped.
 5. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a back portion and a side portion, and wherein the ratio of the length of the back portion of the heel support to the length of the side portion of the heel support is 10:9.
 6. The wakesurf board training device of claim 5, wherein the height of the back portion of the heel is at least 3 cm at its maximal height.
 7. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the heel supports of the pair of heel supports are non-identical.
 8. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the main body is comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material.
 9. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the main body is comprised of acrylic styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polylactic acid, high impact polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, carbon fiber, polycarbonate, polypropylene, closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam, and wood such as cork or wood dust with resin.
 10. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a wakesurf board by attachment means selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, adhesive, and snaps.
 11. The wakesurf board training device of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a wakesurf board by means of an interlocking system with a main body portion and a wakesurf board portion, wherein the main body portion and the wakesurf board portion interlock to secure the main body to the wakesurf board.
 12. A kit comprising: two pairs of a wakesurf board training devices as recited in claim 1, wherein the heel supports of the first wakesurf board training device are configured to be secured adjacent a left side rail of the wakesurf board, and the heel supports of the second wakesurf board training device are configured to be secured adjacent a right side rail of the wake surf board.
 13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the heel supports of the first wakesurf board training device and the heel supports of the second wakeboard training device are symmetric.
 14. A wakesurf board system comprising: a wakesurf board; and a wakesurf board training device as recited in claim
 1. 15. A wakesurf board system of claim 14, wherein the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are releaseably secured to the wakesurf board.
 16. A wakesurf board system of claim 14, wherein the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are permanently attached to or integral with the wakesurf board.
 17. A wakesurf board system of claim 14 further comprising: a traction pad attached to the wakesurf board, wherein the pair of heel supports of the wakesurf board training device are secured to the traction pad.
 18. A wakesurf board system of claim 17, wherein the traction pad includes a plurality of attachment points configured to receive the heel supports of the wakesurf board training device for use adjacent the left side rail or the right side rail of the wakesurf board. 